A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of a common daily coffee was conducted on May 1, 2012 with continued treatment and follow-up through June 1, 2012. A total of 54 Thais whose serum LDL levels ranged from 130 to 239 mg/dL at randomization, were enrolled and randomized into two groups. The participants consumed a cup of plant stanol mixed coffee or a cup of placebo coffee once a day. The percentage of serum LDL reduction was measured at the end of the study.

RESULTS:

Thirty-three subjects were randomized into each group. Forty-seven subjects completed the study, 30 in the group receiving coffee with added plant stanols as ester and 17 in the placebo coffee group. Statistical analysis was done by unpaired t-test using PASW (Predictive Analytics SoftWare) Statistics 18 (SPSS Inc., IL, USA). The results showed a significant difference in mean reduction of LDL levels (p < 0.001, 95% CI = 6.92 – 18.57). The means were 12.77% in the first group and 0.03% in the second group (SD = 9.33 and 9.88, respectively).

CONCLUSION:

Among this population of hypercholesterolemic Thais, the daily replacement of an ordinary cup of coffee with a plant stanol mixed coffee reduced serum LDL levels by 12.77% demonstrating the efficacy of the cholesterol-lowering ingredient in the new food matrix.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission
from the publisher.